thompsondockside.com

Good day and Happy New Years to all! I have a 1968 20' Offshore Camper and in the middle of restoration. I removed the rub rails yesterday to prepare to remove and replace the transom. I would like to know if the rub rail was installed at the factory. It is a hard rubber "C" shape with a nylon type of rope pressed into it. It was fastened through what seems to be an aluminum strip with stainless screws into a wood rail and then the rope was pressed in afterwards. The decks will most likely need to be replaced (like everything else) so I'd like to know what the original configuration was for when I get to that step.
Thank you very much for the information! Tim the Toolman

Combination aluminum and vinyl rub rail at the gunwale was factory installed by Thompson Bros Boat Mfg. Co.

I do not know if they utilized the same stuff as they did in the early and mid 1960s by the time of your 1968 boat. And of course we have no idea if some previous owner change the rub rail from the original factory installed material.

Andreas

Thanks very much for the reply Andreas! I'd be interested to see an example of the aluminum and vinyl rail, I'll try to attach a pic of what I have on my boat currently. And you are correct of course, no way in knowing if it was changed between now and back in 1968. I certainly do want to use whatever was original if at all possible. My original "Camper" interior was missing when I bought the boat and I'd like to restore that back too, had contacted member (user name) cmassucci who seemed to be the only member with the same model as mine, but have not heard from him. Hopefully he will read this post. Thanks again Andreas! Tim

Have you looked at the brochures? You can purchase them on CD-ROM or flash drive at www.wcha.org

The 1968 brochure is a little tiny thing. But the boats did not change much from 1967 or 1966 as far as I know. So look at years prior to 1968 also.

Andreas

I looked at the 1968 brochure for Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. of Peshtigo, WI.

It appears as if the gunwale rub rail is the same as they utilized on early to mid 1960s boats: vinyl with an aluminum insert in the middle.

If this is the case, the vinyl can be obtained thru Wefco Rubber in Canoga Park, California, their part number 0109G (but verify that with them - send them a sample). The aluminum insert can be obtained at any metal fabrication/supply facility. It does NOT need to come from a marine supply source. I have obtained it from Eagle Aluminum Moldings in Osseo, MN. Get it pre-drilled for the screws.

Andreas

Thank you once again Andreas! I did get a response back from member Chris who has the closest boat to mine that I know of. He sent a link to pictures he took prior to his restoration and I was able to see the rail you are describing. I'm guessing the rope stuffed c-channel on my boat must have been done at a later time. I will return back to the original, as soon as I get my new transom laminated, cut out and fitted, and my planks all re-fastened, and the decks replaced, and the windshield framing ........... Tim

LancerBoy wrote:I looked at the 1968 brochure for Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. of Peshtigo, WI.

It appears as if the gunwale rub rail is the same as they utilized on early to mid 1960s boats: vinyl with an aluminum insert in the middle.

If this is the case, the vinyl can be obtained thru Wefco Rubber in Canoga Park, California, their part number 0109G (but verify that with them - send them a sample). The aluminum insert can be obtained at any metal fabrication/supply facility. It does NOT need to come from a marine supply source. I have obtained it from Eagle Aluminum Moldings in Osseo, MN. Get it pre-drilled for the screws.

Andreas

Would this be the white vinyl trim with the SS or aluminum insert that I should have on my '63 sea lancer? Does the top edge wrap over the deck a little? Or is it flush?

I will call Wefco tomorrow, but the part number you listed does not show up on their website.

The metal is aluminum, not stainless steel. And yes there is a little lip on the vinyl that goes up onto the top side of the deck plywood.

Andreas